Outdoor Adventures
Santa Fe is widely recognized for its unrivaled mountain scenery in a stunning high desert landscape. The spectacular terrain provides world-class hiking, biking and skiing opportunities.
Interactive Trail Map
Whether you're into biking, hiking, horseback riding or backpacking, Santa Fe County has the trails and paths mapped to guide your outdoor adventure.
Santa Fe Century
For over 30 years, the Santa Fe Century has been bicycle riders top choice for 20
Mountain Biking
Are you looking for an excellent mountain biking experience? Looking for long ascents, steep, technical downhills, flow trails, cross country loops? Want to be able to ride a variety of trails over multiple days? In short, are you looking for a world-class mountain biking destination? Look no further than Santa Fe:
- Host of the 2012 International Mountain Biking Association IMBA World Summit.
- Designated by IMBA as a Silver Level Ride Center.
- “One of the Top Ten mountain biking destinations in North America”- Singletracks Magazine.
- “One of America’s top mountain biking towns”- USA Today.
- “Best destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts”- USA Today.
- Home of Outside Magazine and Bicycle Technologies Inc.
Santa Fe offers over 400 miles of mountain biking trails, and within minutes from your doorstep, you can access all the riding you want, for whatever skill level you are at.
For a listing of mountain bike trails visit mtbproject.com
The RTD 255 Mountain Trail
The RTD 255 Mountain Trail route provides service 365 days per year and provides service from the South Capitol Rail Runner Station, through Downtown Santa Fe to Fort Marcy Park and then up Hyde Park Rd. to recreational areas and businesses along NM 475 (Ten Thousand Waves) into the Santa Fe National Forest and concluding at Ski Santa Fe.
Free park and ride options for local residents will be available at the South Capitol station and on the north side of Fort Marcy Park in two parking lots north and south of the bus stop located on Murales Rd. between Old Taos Highway and Bishop’s Lodge Rd (by the fire station).
Bicycles are allowed on the Mountain Trail route bus and our bike racks will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The Winter service will begin on Thanksgiving Day (or upon the opening of the Ski Santa Fe season) and runs through the close of Ski Santa Fe in early April. During that time three roundtrips will be provided weekdays and seven roundtrips will be provided on weekends. The service will operate on a weekend schedule (seven roundtrips per day) each day of the week between Christmas and New Year.
The Non-Winter service operates throughout the year from the close of the Ski Santa Fe ski season, until its open around Thanksgiving. During the non-winter season, service will be provided on two roundtrips on weekdays and three roundtrips weekends.
For information on route, schedules, stops, and fares, visit ncrtd.org
Hiking
Santa Fe offers over 600 miles of hikeable trails including terrain in the Pecos Wilderness and Valles Caldera National Preserve. Within the greater Santa Fe area you’ll find stunning high desert trails ranging from beginner to advanced. For information on trails and maps visit alltrails.com/us/new-mexico/santa-fe.
- “One of the Top Ten towns for High Altitude Running”- Outside Magazine
- “Santa Fe’s Dale Ball trail system is one of 25 Best Trail Runs in America”- Runners World Magazine
HORSES/HORSEBACK RIDING
EQUUS
1.844.378.8773
The groundbreaking equestrian program, EQUUS practices a decade- old field known as equine integrated learning. Visitors learn about nonverbal communication and setting boundaries, gaining confidence, inspiration, and strength. At the stables in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, guests gain insights into themselves.
Equus, a horse-assisted personal and leadership development experience for individuals and organizations.
Santa Fe Western Adventures
505.473.9384
68 Bonanza Creek Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87508
Open year-round. Offering custom private and group horseback riding, and sunset rides. Also providing exciting western-themed recreational activities and entertainment for large groups for any special event or occasion.
Broken Saddle Riding Company Inc
505.424.7774
26 Vicksville Rd, Los Cerrillos, NM 87010
Ride through the scenic hills and high desert ranch from the historic mining town of Cerrillos, NM. Rides include spectacular 360º views of all area mountain ranges. Trips include the Madrid Overlook, La Bajada Overlook, Devil's Canyon, Crooked Hat Canyon, Elkins Canyon, Cash Entry Mine, Grand Central Silver Mine, Franklin Ridge and Miner's Trail.
Fishing
Feeling lucky? Want to get your inner “Zen” on and be one with the trout? Santa Fe offers several opportunities for both stream and lake fishing, all within a short distance from town. For stream fishing, the Pecos river is only 30 minutes away, and anglers can catch Rainbow, Brown, and the occasional Brook trout. The Rio Grande is 1 hour’s drive, but it is often worthwhile: large Brown trout, Rainbow trout, and Pike await the patient angler.
High Desert Angler
460 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.988.7688
The Reel Life
526 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501 505.995.8114
GOLFING
Nestled in the beautiful high desert terrain of Santa Fe County are a variety of courses to choose from. Our courses are for adventurous golfers who want a unique, memorable golf experience in the stunning Northern New Mexico scenery.
Black Mesa Golf Club
115 State Road 399,
Española, NM 87532
505.747.8946
This 18-hole course is ranked among America's top 50 by Golf Magazine. Enjoy a majestic desert experience on rolling fairways extending through mountainous valleys and dramatic sandstone ridges.
Cochiti Golf Club
5200 Cochiti Hwy
Cochiti Lake, NM 87083
505.465.2230
Cochiti Golf Club is a public 18-hole course conveniently located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe in Cochiti Lake. Consistently ranked as one of the best courses in New Mexico, Cochiti Golf Club has a stunning layout.
Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe
205 Caja del Rio Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505.955.4470
Located eight miles west of the historical downtown district, the year round golf course offers golf sport enthusiasts of all ages a spectacular golf experience showcasing exceptional customer service, exclusive low rates and full service amenities. Partake in the championship 18-hole , 35-station all grass driving range, practive greens, putting area and a par three course ranked "top three big little course in the US" by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
Towa Golf Course at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
30 Buffalo Thunder Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87506
505.455.5555
A 15 minute drive North from Santa Fe, located in the dramatic scenery of Northern New Mexico's Pojoaque Valley, Towa's three independent nine-hold courses challenge with dramatic elevation changes, seasonal weather conditions, and scenery of such extraordinary beauty it threatens to distract the most focused golfer. World GOlf Awards "North America's Best Golf Hotel 2015" winner!
Skiing
Want in on a little secret? In Santa Fe, you can be on a ski lift within 30 minutes of leaving your doorstep. Only 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe and averaging 225 inches of snow per year, the Santa Fe Ski Area offers a high-altitude experience (peak elevation 12,075 feet above sea level- 12th highest ski area in North America) with open slopes that are not crowded, a variety of terrain that is perfect for the family, and world-class views. With over 300 days of sunshine, a bluebird day is very common right after a storm. Visit skisantafe.com for information about lift tickets, snow and weather reports and rentals.
Santa Fe also offers a cross country ski loop near the Santa Fe Ski Area, located at 10,000 feet in elevation. The Norski Cross Country Ski Trail is ¼ mile before the Santa Fe Ski Area, on the left side of the road. The area is specific to cross country, but is not groomed and no dogs are allowed. For information on cross country skiing and snow shoeing, visit santafewalkabouts.com.
Santa Fe is also within an easy drive to Ski Pajarito (Los Alamos), Angel Fire Ski Area, Red River Ski Area, and Taos Ski Valley.
A Public Transit service will now provide public transportation from downtown to the Santa Fe Ski Area, with stops along the way. Originating at the downtown South Capitol NM Rail Runner train station, it stops at several downtown hotels, Ten Thousand Waves, and various trailheads along the way up to the Santa Fe Ski Area. The transit bus will run from Sept. 26, 2015 through April 3, 2016, and then resume regular operation for the Summer, July 1-Aug. 31. It will have ski racks in the winter for transporting skis to the SF Ski Area. For information on route, schedules, stops, and fares, visit ncrtd.org.
off - road jeep tours
For an unforgettable off-road adventure, head out on a rugged jeep tour into the wild places of Santa Fe County. A four-wheel drive expedition with Santa Fe Jeep Tours through striking high desert terrain and alpine forests will reveal some of the area's most majestic sites, and they're often not easy to get to on your own.
Santa Fe Jeep Tours
1170 Harrison Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.428.9126
https://www.santafejeeptours.com/
Santa Fe Mountain Adventures offers a variety of exceptionally fun “jeep” tours in their Steyr Puch Pinzgauers and G-Wagon, military vehicles once utilized by the Swiss Army in the rugged Alps. Join their knowledgeable guides on a jaunt through arroyos and high desert landscapes, or take a ride up into the Rocky Mountains for spectacular alpine views. For an experience of a lifetime, book their Wild West Safari – if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see wild horses!
Santa Fe Mountain Adventures
505.988.4000
www.SantaFeMountainAdventures.com
For the wondrous adventurer who prefers to see all these marvelous sites in the comfort of their own jeep, there are maps available to pick up at the Santa Fe National Forest office.
Helicopter tours
Take a helicopter tour around Santa Fe County and see New Mexico from a bird's eye view. Enjoy the thrill and adventure of a Gryphon Helicopter tour. Offering many scenic tours, photo tours, scout locations and sunset tours.
Gryphon Renaissance Helicopters
505.670. 0300
www.gryphonhelicoptertours.com
AIRVENTURES
Southwest Safaris’ exciting scenic air/land expeditions explore New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona. Discover Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde, Arches/Canyonlands, Painted Desert, Pueblo/Navajo/Hopi/Apache lands. Plus unforgettable local flightseeing. Breathtaking inaccessible scenery: unexcavated ruins, cliff dwellings, enchanted mountains, rainbow-layered mesas/buttes/monuments/spires, sculpted deserts, rugged canyons, towering volcanoes, and more. Geology, archaeology, history. Backcountry flying - Jeeping - Photography. Experience the awe! Open all year. Call for reservations.
Southwest Safaris
505.988.4246; or 800.842.4246
